June 2008

 
  • June 29 p Opal Hanshaw, 92, see OBITUARY page
  • June 29 a It's the last Sunday in June.  Here's  a brief recap from the last seven days.
  • June 29 a Clay County has heard many promises over the years. Most promises have fallen thru the cracks. Not so, maybe anyway, the planned Technical College campus at Valley Fork. Last week West Virginia State Technical College Prez Joe Badgley and others came to the county explaining the plan to bring technical college course to our county of little. He said the place would open for the first classes on August 25th. The six classroom and one office facility will offer courses and certificate classes geared toward the job market.
  • June 29 a If you're thinking you can receive your first 2 years of class work for a four year bachelor degree program, you can't. Very few offerings (English classes for instance) can be transferred to some other West Virginia school.
  • June 29 a Our School Board showed its true colors Thursday morning (7:30am) when they convened an unlawful meeting of the public body. Just two days after their regular meeting (June 23rd), they decided the annual rehiring of the Superintendent and his NEW salary (contract) was too sensitive for the taxpayer's ears. You Levy dollars at work!
  • June 29 a Without proper notice for and without legal reason for the Special Meeting,  Taxpayers only ask that elected officials obey the law of the land when we vote them in office. RB, Gene, Beth, Ric, and Jim continued their course of distrust and back door handling of our $14 million in tax dollars.
  • June 29 a  Friday afternoon all the Boil Water Orders were lifted in Clay County.
  • June 29 a Special Note: Friday afternoon FEMA came to Clay looking for homeowners with property loss. Commissioner Queen King put the word out, if you have home, trailer, vehicle loss from the June 4th storm, give her a call. 286-5185
  • June 29 a Saturday morning the BC&G RR Co-Op held their annual meeting in the brand new lodge building at the JG Bradley Campground at Dundon. By law changes were made to expand participation of more members. The outside of the building is nearly done, the campground is operating with 16 electrical hook ups, and the Farimont jitney railcar is hauling passengers ..... naysayers are still saying, tourism? an excursion train?, and camp ground, it'll never happen here.
  • June 29 a For the old blood naysayers, get on board or step out of the way!
  • June 29 a Saturday evening a group of 50 or more came out for the Beach Party night at Summer Jam. Somehow the radio station managed to stay on the air between the storms. Taking a break from the struggles of life, those in attendance danced, smiled, sang, and gobbled up hot dogs. It was a nice break albiet just 2 hours! By 9:15pm it was time to go back home and see if you had a roof to sleep under.
  • June 29 a On the last Saturday of the month, two  monster storms tore thru our county leaving behind sparking, dangling , power lines and outages. By 10pm last night, those great big four wheel drive utility contractors were back in the county awaiting orders on where to begin again.
  • June 29 a Talking to old timers, June was the stormiest month they had every seen. Hail, high winds, and heavy rain, took out utilities time after time in June. As soon as frigerators were restocked, yelp, another monster blow and resulting outage, sent the new vittles to the trash can. We were declared a disaster area with nearly $20,000 in loss to government and non profit operations.
  • June 28 a  As far as we can tell, all the Boil Water Orders have been lifted in Clay County. If you get malaria and a hang nail, you can blame us.
  • June 28 a Be sure to check out the EVENTS and ADVISORY pages for lots of interesting stuff to do this weekend in County Clay.
  • June 28 a A note from the radio station: Summer Jam goes on rain or shine. If it's raining cats and dogs, the show will be moved in the station for on air play. If there's just a little drizzle, bring a rain coat and come out and hear great West Virginia artists.
  • June 28 a  About that unlawful super secret School Board meeting held Thursday morning before work hours ...  Can't help but think about all the different surveys offered by the School System. Their questions asked about performance and how well the schools were doing.
  • June 28 a  Maybe some of those satisfaction questionnaires should have included truthfulness, and willingness to follow the law by our elected leaders. They certainly ask students to do that, why not demand the same from Board members.
  • June 28 a  The School Board is made up of RB Legg, Ric Tanner, Gene King, Beth Cercone, and Jim Dawson. Hard to get that simple info from the school system web site. It is and has been been so out of date, the official voice of the $14,000.000.00 empire lists David Pierson as a boardster.
  • June 28 a At the least, the Clay County Board of Education is certainly an embarrassment to the entire region and poor example for young minds.
  • June 27 p   The Boil Water Order for Ivydale and Big Otter was lifted this afternoon. Drink Drink Drink
  • June 27 a Here's a perfect story to get your day started...
  • June 27 a The School Board met Monday evening June 23rd for a regular session meeting where they covered many many topics making their decisions in public. Near the end of that meeting the told the public the next meeting of the group would be an organizational meeting.
  • June 27 a  Tuesday, Wednesday.....
  • June 27 a Thursday morning at 7:30 am they convened again to do their sensitive stuff, the stuff they want kept away from the public. Thursday morning, minus the mandated posting of the meeting agenda, they voted on the Somber Super's salary and his employment contract.
  • June 27 a If you want to keep things quiet, do it before the start of the normal work day and told tell anybody.
  • June 27 a Why a special meeting for such votes? It's normal business that could be done during a regular meeting.  Setting the Supers salary has to be done annually as a matter of policy. For the school system, they chose to hold a special meeting, an unlawful special meeting, to do the sensitive stuff they want kept away from the voter.
  • June 27 a Last year the Board voted to give the Super second page non taxable incentive deal raising his salary, tax deferred incentive, and benefits to around $125,000. Not too shabby for a failing school system that down plays LITTLE educational progress after the 4th grade level.
  • June 27 a Such back room deals are common with our School Board. It shows a top down arrogance and disregard for the taxpayers in County Clay. How much worse can the elected body look?
  • June 27 a Pitiful !
  • June 26 p  she could shoot a ground hog dead at 60 yards....Vesta Mullins Salisbury, see OBITUARY page
  • June 26 p  David Leonard Liddy, 68, of Duck, see OBITUARY page
  • June 26 p Need a job? See Jobs page .
  • June 26 From the email bag:  One of our 1955 CCHS classmates is looking for Lee Ferrebee.  He did live in Nebraska.  Does anyone have his current phone number or address?  Please call me 587-2399
  • June 26 p   New water fountain in Clay this morning? No just a big time water leak in a main line at Two Run. The 10 inch gash sent wa wa spraying 30 feet straight up in the air. BOIL WATER ORDER issued by Clay County PSD due to the leak. the BWO is for Ivydale and Big Otter sections of the PSD service area.
  • June 26 p The Town of Clay owns and run the wa wa plant with customers along that main line break. As of 11am, no mention of a Boil Water Order for town customers.
  • June 26 a  Okey A. Jones, 63, see OBITUARY page
  • June 26 a Boil Water Order for Valley Fork, Newton and Wallback.
  • June 26 a There's a lot of disappointment in Clay. We hear reports of good things coming and then Poof, they're gone. Happens year after year.
  • June 26 a That new technical college proposed over at Valley Fork may be different. Yesterday two community meetings were held by West Virginia State Technical College at the Courthouse explaining class offerings, type of certificates, and a start date of August 25th... this year.
  • June 26 a This time around, it sounds like something good might actually happen in Clayberry.
  • June 26 a Mention was made yesterday of a civil trial where GMAC didn't want to pay up on a vehicle loss. The thing burned leaving only the engine compartment worth salvage. Expert testimony  revealed the nice looking Chevy Pick Up had been torched near the end of 2006 and sounded like the finger was pointing at Mr Young Sr. as the match lighter.
  • June 26 a Point all you want, in a directed verdict, Young won the case.
  • June 26 a What the H is a directed verdict? From NOLO:   A ruling by a judge, typically made after the plaintiff has presented all of her evidence but before the defendant puts on his case, that awards judgment to the defendant. A directed verdict is usually made because the judge concludes the plaintiff has failed to offer the minimum amount of evidence to prove her case even if there were no opposition. In other words, the judge is saying that, as a matter of law, no reasonable jury could decide in the plaintiff's favor. In a criminal case, a directed verdict is a judgement of acquittal for the defendant.
  • June 25 p Boil Water Order remains in affect for Valley Fork, Newton and Wallback areas of the Clay Roane PSD service area. Boil it first!!!
  • June 25 p  Happy 83rd Birthday to Ella Faye Martin of Ivydale from your "little princess" Alexia
  • June 25 p  County Commission met this morning resulting in a couple interesting snippets.
  • June 25 p In the bills to be paid, the Prosecutor's office had a bill for "candles" which turned out to be a tart burner to make the place smell better. With all the attorneys coming and going from the office, it could get stinky real quick.... Commissioners declined to pay for tart burners.
  • June 25 p Courthouse employees were given the green light for  a $125 per month pay raise.
  • June 25 p And relating to the recent power and water outages, a Wallback fellow was less than happy with the performance of the county emergency services director, Pat Beets. Many elderly people up Ric Workman's hollow went without any attention by the OES Director. After Workman brought up many shortcomings, Commission Prez Queen King sided with Beets. After hearing the response, Mr Workman left saying the discussion was a waste of his time.
  • June 25 p There's a civil trial in progress where GMAC is raising the issue of whether they should pay for a burned up pick em up truck owned by Tommy Young Sr. The truck near the end of 2006.   This morning an expert provided testimony the totaled sliver GM stretch cab was torched. Interesting case with Wayne King defending Young Sr.
  • June 25 p  John was on his deathbed and gasped pitifully. 'Give me one last request, dear,' he said. 'Of course, John,' his wife said softly. 'Six months after I die,' he said, 'I want you to marry Bob.' 'But I thought you hated Bob,' she said. With his last breath John said, 'I do!'
  • June 25 a Wednesday morning the County Commission meets in regular session with a big long agenda of reappointing volunteers to various boards and committees.
  • June 25 a Wed afternoon there are two community meetings at the Courthouse concerning the new college campus at Valley Fork. Might be just a dog and pony show but for those interested in college classes in the county, see ADVISORY page for details. For those looking for free munchies show up at 3:30 or a little later!
  • June 25 a From the college's email:  West Virginia State Community and Technical College will hold four informational sessions at the Clay County Commission Room for residents of Clay, Roane, Braxton and Nicholas counties at 3:00 PM and 6:30 PM on Wednesday, June 25th and Tuesday, July 1st.  The purpose of the meetings will be to survey community interest in course offerings at the future Clay County Educational Center.  Representatives of the College will admit students, distribute financial aid information, and recruit faculty during the sessions.  For more information please contact the College 304-766-5113.  West Virginia State Community and Technical College does not discriminate on the basis or race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age.
  • June 24 p BOIL WATER ORDER issued by Clay Roane PSD around 3pm today. The areas affected by the BWO are Newton, Wallback, and Valley Fork. A main service line was severed when well drillers struck the line near Wallback.
  • June 24 p The repairs have been made but water has not been restored for much of the BWO area.
  • June 24 p The Communicator made it to the news stands around 4pm today. 28 great pages of news and views second to none.
  • June 24 p Get well wishes extended to Chief Train Engineer Man Roger Nutter who's in CAMC with ticker problems.
  • June 24 a Missouri Marie Tanner Fitzwater, see OBITUARY page
  • June 24 a Yelp another storm came tearing thru the county Monday evening. Thunder boomers big time and more rain. No reports of outages so far.
  • June 24 a 100+ 4Hers took off for Camp Shepherd Monday morning. Parents are at ease once again. The little brats are someone else's responsibility!
  • June 23 p Received an email this afternoon around 1 reporting that the Bomont area of the county is still without electric service.
  • June 23 p With DSL service more stable now, looks like we'll be able to get the Communicator out the door Tuesday afternoon. Keep your fingers crossed.
  • June 23 p Job opening over on the JOBS page
  • June 23 p From the email bag: I have 10 extra tickets for the Robbie Knievel event at the fairgrounds next weekend if anybody wants them. He's going to try to jump 500 Obama supporters with a bull dozer
  • June 23 a Sunday afternoon storms ripped thru County Clay taking out electric and tele services. Much of the county was without utilities beginning mid afternoon.  Areas around H.E. White Elem appear to be the hardest hit by wind, heavy rain and hail damage. Much of that end of the county remained without utilities well into the evening hours.
  • June 23 a Due to poor internet connectivity and spotty tele service late into last night, hate to say it, but The Communicator has been delayed. Not sure what the publication date will be ... soon as possible for sure
  • June 23 a Sunday 3:15 pm: It only lasted about 20 minutes but that was enough time to bend and break trees, utility poles, and power lines. Hail bounced off the ground like rubber balls.
  • June 23 a Sunday 3:20: power off for much of the county
  • June 23 a Sunday 3:25: WYAP went off the air, the street flooded going into downtown Clay.
  • June 23 a Sunday 3:40p: over the scanner, trees down all around H E White Elem school. emergency crews cutting their way into the area.
  • June 23 a Sunday 3:44p over the scanner "the power is out in Bickmore and Hartland"
  • June 23 a Sunday 3:49p Badge "If you all get what I just got, watch out, the ground looks like its snow covered"
  • June 23 a Sunday 4:20p "Tree limbs, gravel and everything in the road on Camp Creek"
  • June 23 a Sunday 4:27p "It's real foggy... visibility is about 20 feet...looks like winter on Camp Creek
  • June 23 a Sunday 4:40p  "The telephone company is calling out contractors."
  • June 23 a It was bad clickers. As of Sunday night many went without power. With the norm being to go to the grocery store on Saturday's, once again, Clay County got the hurtin put on it with much food already spoiled.
  • June 23 a With his blueberries almost ripe, hail took out a bunch of RT Sizemore\s grape and berry crop. Maybe worse, the hail damaged an even larger apple crop.
  • June 23 a  more updates as the DSL allows.
  • June 22 p Seems like every time we're ready to update, a storm slows down or wipes out the DSL. 2:30pm the weather advisories are flashing hail, high winds, and vivid lightening.
  • June 22 p Update as conditions allow
  • June 22 p Politicians flip flop like a fish in a frying pan. McLame changed from being against off shore oil drilling while Obama de Bama did an about face on taking federal campaign funds.
  • June 22 p Closer to home, our new Black Shirt Badge was heard on the scanner working the roads and pulling over motorists.  Summer officially came last Friday.
  • June 22 p In the way of public meetings, it was quiet.
  • June 22 p Also warming up the country, gay marriages became legal in California. Is it the decline of  morals or just one more step little different from the outrages of old... giving blacks full protections of law, or allowing women to own property or even vote.
  • June 22 p  Six weeks ago with much fanfare The Widen Documentary opened in Charleston. On the BC&G RR blog, there seems to be some not supportive of the movie's content. From their blog: On Tuesday, May 20th, the Board of Directors of the Buffalo Creek and Gauley Railroad Cooperative, met in our new building at the J.G. Bradley Campground. After much discussion of the movie, The Widen Project, all board members expressed their disapproval of this production, and accordingly voted unanimously to: DISAVOW ANY CONNECTION WITH THIS MOVIE, AND TO NEITHER SUPPORT IT IN ANY WAY. WE WILL NOT SHOW IT, SELL IT, OR PROMOTE IT. There were many positive interviews that were not included, and a number of negative and provocative interviews which should not have been included, and were done so with no approval from CAEZ. Further, CAEZ was not given an opportunity to review the movie before its release, and would not have approved the final version, had they been given the opportunity to do so.  We are saddened to take this position, since it had been hoped that this movie would be a very positive and supportive instrument to further the railroad co-op, the campground, and Clay County in general.
  • June 22 p That's quite a change from their early May posting which read in part:  Saturday, May 12, 2008, at the LaBelle theatre in South Charleston--what an event.  It was the world premier of THE WIDEN PROJECT, and this beautiful antique theatre, which is itelf a museum piece, was filled to near capacity with frolk from all over to enjoy this once n a lifetime event.  It was a stellar crowd and an evening to be remembered, The companion company owned towns of Widen, Swandale, and Dundon were all represented, and for those in attendance, the movie just served to refresh many memories, as the real days of that age will never be forgotten.  However, there were many aspects of the movie that were so disturbing that further consideration has caused many second thoughts about the movie and our support of it.  The B, C, and G railroad project was refreshed in the minds of one and all, and new and welcome support was expressed and forthcoming.
  • June 22 p Unless the power and internet are knocked out by the approaching storm, The Communicator comes out Monday afternoon. In the mean time, batten down the hatches and hold on to your hat.
  • June 21 Great big heaps of fun and music tonight at Summer Jam. Good time to wish Bill Triplett a Happy Birthday too
  • June 21 a Connie Sizemore is the organizer for the Apple Festival Pageants. All the information for the event is over on our ADVISORY page. Better get signed up ASAP, lots of nice prizes
  • June 21 a Seen any weird stuff going on. Bumps in the night? Strange sounds? See our AdVISORY page.
  • June 21 a  Something from the radio station folks: WYAP is trying to find some non profit group to operate Bingo games during the Independence Day Celebration. Normally the Lion's Club  group does such but July is their month off. Want to raise some $$$$ for your group? Bingo during the July 4th fun may be just what you're looking for! Contact the radio station for details; wyap@frontiernet.net
  • June 20 a Happy West Virginia day! With schools out and  the Courthouse closed down today, it should be  a quiet time in County Clay.
  • June 20 a We're holding the Communicator up until Monday afternoon. No nothing spectacular in the way of a juicy story, we just got balled up time wise.
  • June 20 a From the email bag:  Happy birthday, WVA  #145
  • June 20 a From the email bag:  FATHERS' DAY WAS DEVESTATING TO ARNOLD & WANDA DEEMS, OF WALLBACK, THIER TRAILER HOME BURNED TO THE GROUND, THEY LOST EVERYTHING. THE TWO OF THEM WERE ALWAYS THE FIRST OUT TO HELP ANYBODY IN THIER TIME OF NEED, NOW THEY ARE THE ONES  IN NEED THEMSELVES. PLEASE IF YOU CAN HELP IN ANY WAY , PLEASE CALL 587-7791  ANYTHING WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
  • June 20 a When the Gov declares a disaster, he really just asking the Feds to do so. Yesterday the Prez did just that in many West Virginia counties relating to the June 4th storm which tore thru our 342 square miles.
  • June 20 a There are different levels of disaster declaration.  With about $17000 worth of damage and expense to government and non profit agencies, from King Joe: PUBLIC ASSISTANCE (Assistance to State and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities): Barbour, Clay, Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison, Marion and Taylor counties.
  • June 20 a Translation: individuals and households that sustained damage, you're out of luck unless you're in Barbour, Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Marion, Taylor, and Tyler counties.
  • June 20 a For those interested in riding the BC& G RR "jitney", according to their most recent newsletter, it's up and running. Tele number to reserve your seat is 304 587-6055 or 304  872-1757.
  • June 19 a Mo Truman died a couple weeks back. It didn't take long for the Governor to recognize a good Clayonian.
  • June 19 a There's a budding entrepreneur on Main Street.
  • June 19 a In front of the trailer park, next door to the Health Dept., on Main Street,  there's  a 6 or 7 year old busy selling kool-aid. Sure would be a nice jester to stop and partake of the kid's efforts and brand new road side stand.
  • June 18 p Great big block party Thursday evening up in Ivydale. See EVENTS page
  • June 18 p  The U.S. military (that's Dubbya) hid the locations of suspected terrorist detainees and concealed harsh treatment to avoid the scrutiny of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
  • June 18 p Weather reports called for a massive storm Tuesday afternoon and evening. Most of the county escaped the wrath but not before we cleaned out grocery store shelves buying up provisions. High winds and falling trees did knock out power out Triplett Ridge leaving many without juice for several hours.
  • June 18 p Warm summer nights, picnics, kids running around bare foot... It's also West Nile virus season. See ADVISORY page for details from the Clay Health Dept.
  • June 18 p For those wondering, the JG Bradley Campground is open and ready for you to spend a weekend or week enjoying life in laid back style.Here's a link to their blog.
  • June 18 p The Communicator comes out Friday afternoon. Deadline for submissions is tomorrow afternoon at 3pm. Email your stuff right away.
  • June 18 p How about a topic sure to fire up letter to the editor writers:  High gas prices is the best thing to happen to the country in years. $5, $6 a gallon gas is the ONLY way to force people to conserve on fuel and reduce our dependence on drinddling oil reserves.
  • June 18 p Your comments please. Put your name on the emails if you want them  printed in Friday's award winning newspaper.
  • June 18 p A 3-year-old boy examined his testicles while taking a bath.  'Mom', he asked, 'Are these my brains?' 'Not yet,' she replied
  • June 16 p Clayberry is in a tizzy this afternoon. Weathercasters are reporting a big time storm heading our way complete with very high winds and damaging hail.
  • June 16 p The last time such reports came our way, we were without power for several days. Will update as best we can. Won't be any if the electricity heads south.
  • June 16 p Batten down the hatches just in case
  • June 16 p  Men have a problem when it comes to their zipper. One county over, the 911 Director was arrested this morning after charging, among other things, male enhancement drugs on the county charge acccount. True the 911 man has to be ready for almost anything, but dumb dumb dumb.
  • June 16 a Danny Workman,  55, see OBITUARY page
  • June 16 a Danny was the guy often seen walking the streets of Clay sometimes getting into mischief. One time he jumped out of a second story Prestera window breaking his legs. Likeable but getting into trouble came with his territory. Instead of Hello, his opening was normally, Can you give me a dime?
  • June 16 a From the email bag from Evelyne McLaughlin:  Bro. Bill's wife, Allie Boggs Eagle, passed away yesterday morning.  She lived in Mercer, Pennsylvania.  Services will be Monday evening.
  • June 16 a  The Country Music Assoc held a fan appreciation week down in Nashville June 2 thru the 8th.  Our own Natalie (Cole) Logan received some pretty good reviews. Check this link out, about 3/4's the way down the page.
  • June 15p  Some observations from the last seven days or so.
  • June 15 p The Sheriff's Dept collects fees (around $5000 or so annually) for process serving. At the end of each year those funds go into the county's general account as mandated by state code. Since the reign of Clarence Douglas, when the $$$ build up, they're used to purchase new cruisers.
  • June 15p Early last week we found out the Sheriff purchased a shiny new gas guzzlin' pick um up truck on June 3rd. To do that the Commission, or quorum of the CCC, had to give the OK, a decision, by signing the $24000 purchase check. That quorum was Fran Queen King and Slinkinooooger. All decisions of the County Commission MUST be done during a public meeting. This decision was not. Not during the regular session of the CCC on Wed June 11th nor during the Emergency meeting held June 13th.
  • June 15p Clay Roane PSD met a couple days ago in the hot, cramped, Procious Water plant. There they reversed a cost cutting decision from two months ago. Back in the Spring, the Board changed water operator work schedules to reduce overtime and cut pump times. Thursday night they changed back to their old ways. Guess putting in for a water rate increase changes a lot of thinking.
  • June 15 p  And, yelp, they still have that humongo water leak... somewhere
  • June 15 p  Two truck loads of tires were collected during Saturday's Clay County Tire Amnesty day by the Solid Waster Authority. That's 1700+ tires safely recycled that didn't wind up in a creek, hillside, or roadside.
  • June 15p People made money this week. Lots of it! Yard sales, garage sales, and road side vendors set up in every shady spot around the county.
  • June 15p Saturday night the rain subsided and a bunch of folks came out for square dancing, clogging, hot dogs, and great traditional music during Summer Jam 2008.
  • June 15p  Can't help but think about RT Sizemore. Mid day Thursday, when it was around 95 degrees, there was RT way down over the hillside working on some small plants. Well into his 80's, RT came walking up the hill and never broke a sweat nor was winded. Without missing a step after the long haul up the hill, he preceded to show the visitor every variety of grape and berries being grown. Needless to say, the visitor, me, was ready for some A/C real quick... Not so RT, still going strong
  • June 15 p  Today is Father's Day. The day for  a new shirt, tie, and hugs. It's also a day to think back on those that have passed on. For that ace cub reporter.....
  • June 15p It's that dark spot on the couch where Amos Waddell rested his head after 14 hour work days. With his shirt off revealing a lilly white chest but leathery dark arms and neck, both Amos and the couch are long gone. Not so the memories of his hard work keeping us in toys, food, and love.
  • June 15 p Happy Father's Day and Father's Day memories to each and every.
  • June 13 LATE p  Thomas J Triplett, 69, see OBITUARY page
  • June 13 LATE p  NOTICE:  The Boil Water Order issued last week for Ivydale and Big Otter has been lifted EXCEPT for the Otter Lick section of the system.
  • June 13 LATE p From the email bag, belated:  I want to wish Erica Neal of Indore , a very Happy Birthday on June 13th from ALL THE GANG
  • June 14 LATE p  How about a little help, from the email bag: I need someone to shear my sheep, l ram and 3 ewes,  they need sheared badly.  evelyne 587-2399
  • June 13 LATE p Lots going on this weekend including a great opportunity to get rid of those wore out tires. The ones setting on the porch, out back, and laying in the yard! Saturday is Tire Amnesty Day in Clay. See EVENTS page for details.
  • June 13 LATE p  This morning  County Commission voted to hire Chris Legg as a new deputy in the County. The new recruit starts to work Monday. He was seen driving home a county vehicle this afternoon. County insurance doesn't pick up on the lad until Sunday night at midnight according to Commissioner Peter Triplett.
  • June 13 a Charles Otis McCumbers, 25, of Nebo,  see OBITUARY page
  • June 13 a   Happy 28th Birthday to Amanda Brook Fitzwater on Friday, June 13th
  • June 12 p  From the email bag: If you see Rodney Nutter wish him a big ole Happy Birthday June 11,2008..Rodney works for Kings Wrecker Service, known as unit 52. Happy Birthday son I love you mom ( Linda J. WIlliams)
  • June 12 p   From the email bag:  We'd like to wish a very Happy 28th Birthday to Amanda Brook Fitzwater on Friday, June 13th.  Love, her family!!
  • June 12 p  We have some great Clay County musical talent that often go unnoticed around here. Groups like 2Blue, that's Harold Allen and Terri Lively put together great music and are well recognized in other parts of the state. Here's an article from over in Fayette County.
  • June 12 a Clay Roane PSD meets tonight at 7pm at the Procious Water Plant. The three times amended meeting agenda is over on the ADVISORY page
  • June 12 a Clay County Commission met Wed morning. The 45 minute gathering appeared to go well with little in the way of excitement with one exception...
  • June 12 a In attendance CAEZ Director Connie Lupardus quoted from the award winning Communicator and said the info was ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL wrong. She was referring to the May 28th meeting coverage where the CCC raised concerns over  a $10,000.00 Budget Digest Grant earmarked for water service study, upgrades on privately owned property at Maysel. Normally, tax dollars ( Budget DIgest grants) cannot be used for private business owners.
  • June 12 a Make sure you pick up the latest edition of the Communicator for details on that meeting..
  • June 12 a Of course what Big Lup was actually saying was, the independent newspaper was deadly accurate on meeting coverage, published was exactly what went on during that May 28 CCC meeting, a meeting Lupardus did not attend.
  • June 12 a Lupardus attended the June 11th meeting and explained to the CCC: the $10,000 would be used to upgrade water service but the CAEZ intended to BUY that 14 acre tract of hillside at Maysel and turn it into affordable housing.
  • June 12 a Quiet meeting. No major outbreaks of anything.
  • June 12 a County Commission is suppose to make all decisions during a public meeting. That's the law. During the June 11th meeting there was no mention of their decision to buy the Sheriff's Dept a new $24,000 four wheel drive SUV pick em up truck. Not one mention.  The truck was purchased by Sheriff Holcomb last Tuesday and is designated for Deputy Jeff Rider.
  • June 12 a Now, an Emergency meeting of the CCC has been called for Friday at 10 am. There the elected folks will formally hire Chris Legg as a Deputy Sheriff. Once again there was no mention or mention of the need to have an Emergency meeting, during Wed's June 11th meeting.
  • June 12 a  When elected, they're asked to do just one thing, follow the law of the land. Doesn't seem to be the case in Clay.
  • June 10 LATE p   Oscar James McLaughlin, 80,  see OBITUARY page
  • June 10 p  Storms ripped thru the county in the wee hours today taking out electric service for many once again.
  • June 10 p Not sure what a Skiffle Band is but there's one from England coming tonight at the High School. See the EVENTS page for details
  • June 10 p Meeting wise, the Clay PSD Board meeting slated for this morning was canceled due to lack of interest. It's been rescheduled for next Tuesday at 11 am. Wed's Housing Authority meeting has been rescheduled for Wed June 18th at 2pm. Seems those folks forgot to post their meeting agenda on time
  • June 10 p In the morning the County Commission meets at 10 am.
  • June 10 p Last Friday kids finished up another year of edumacation. Today teachers called it quits. Not sure which group was the most happy.
  • June 10 p Our new Valley Dale Elem school made thru its first year of use without falling down. True the roof leaks, the heating system was put in backwards, the floors are cracked, but maybe the most glaring short fall is the stink. The smell of septic tank gases emits from nearly every classroom. Not once in a while, but all the time with afternoon's bringing the worst of the worst foul odors. We call it Valley Dale Elem which is what the state education folks call it. Teachers there call it Big Otter Elem. Many others call it Big Odor Elem for olfactory reasons.
  • June 10 p The contractors warranty is good for one year which runs out shortly. Isn't it a shame $8 million tax dollars were spent and all the problems remains. Seems the School Board should have had a someone overseeing the construction of the slip prone project.
  • June 10 p
  • June 9 Late p   Shirlena “Sherry” Ellen King Rhodes, see OBITUARY page
  • June 9 Late p  Yes Sir! The Communicator made it to news stands Monday afternoon around 5pm. 24 pages of great information on what's going on in the County Clay.
  • June 9 Late p  Tomatoes are the most popular crop for home gardeners. There is now good reason to grow your own.  Salmonellosis!  Here's the govt link for the most up to date info on protecting yourself from the sometimes fatal results from consumption.
  • June 9 Late p From the email bag:  Hi my name is Kelley Thompson as you may or may not have heard I have just finished a film documentary about the town of Widen. This news may be of interest to your readers as it can now be purchased by contacting Kelley Thompson at 304-344-1990 or e-mail killer64@suddenlink.net You can learn more about the film on the internet by searching for “The Widen Film Project” or Kelley Thompson film maker
  • June 9 a  We're busy typing and formatting the latest edition of the Communicator. No new updates until we get it out the door this afternoon around 4pm.
  • June 9 a I was walking past the mental hospital the other day and all the patients were shouting,'13....13....13'    The fence was too high to see over but I saw a little gap in the planks and looked through to see what was going on.  Some ^^!!## poked me in the eye with a stick.  Then they all started shouting '14....14....14'...
  • June 8  a John Edwards and Joe Biden knew when to say when. Hitlary didn't.  She finally bowed out of the Prez race 2 months after having no chance of winning. Vote for a black man? West Virginia as a swing state? Not a chance. We're solidly Republicrat and walking in lock step with John McLame. Another losing proposition.
  • June 8 a War? What war? Australia leaving the coalition of the willing?
  • June 8 a  There have been 4,404 coalition deaths -- 4,091 Americans, two Australians, 176 Britons, 13 Bulgarians, one Czech, seven Danes, two Dutch, two Estonians, one Fijian, five Georgians, one Hungarian, 33 Italians, one Kazakh, one Korean, three Latvian, 22 Poles, three Romanians, five Salvadoran, four Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and 18 Ukrainians -- in the war in Iraq as of June 6, 2008, according to a CNN count.
  • June 8 a Closer to home we lost one of Clay County's great music talents, Mo Truman.
  • June 8 a Around 2am Wed morning thunder boomers and high wind struck our county leaving many without utilities. For those that didn't get wiped out by that storm, Wed afternoon around 4:15pm, tornados sat down in the county uprooting more trees and further turning the power grid into a can of worms.
  • June 8 a Half empty school buses traveled the tree strewn roads laced with downed power lines. By 9 am Wed, the buses were back on the dangerous roads taking the kids home. School was called off. On Thursday, yelp let's have school despite no wa wa at Valley Dale Elem nor electric or tele at HE White. How can you call it a school day when kids are told to stay home?
  • June 8 a 24 hours into the mess, the newness wore off. No TV, no water, no DSL. Hair got greasy. Deodorant could only do so much. For some, life got to normal Thursday afternoon. For  others, most others, power was restored by Saturday evening. Many in the county reported eyeballing tornado's first hand up frnt and personnal.
  • June 8 a King Joe came to town Friday morning to dedicate the Dundon Ski Slope bridge a week after it had opened to the public. The election year dog and pony show included a trip to Clay High. At least one kid was too afraid to ask the big question: Gov.,  how can I get one of those MBA's without going to college?
  • June 8 a Friday afternoon school let out for the last time. School's out for Summer break. Kids smiled. Teachers breathed  a sigh of relief, they hadn't pinched off the neck of some kid for another year.
  • June 8 a Saturday afternoon 101.7 FM got back on the air when power was restored to their transmitter around 5pm.    Saturday night young people were on the WYAP Summer Jam stage singing in a Karaoke contest. Those in  the audience, tapped their feet and enjoyed a warm summer night outdoors.
  • June 8 a Wonderful Clay County West Virginia.
  • June 8 a Who killed JFK? Conspiracy? The answer may never be known but here's a very interesting video raising more questions than answers. Even if  1/10 of the video is true... very troubling indeed. Note: you need high speed for viewing.
  • June 7 a  NOTE from the radio station: WYAP remains off the air due to lack of electricity at the transmitter site. Tonight's season opener Summer Jam will go on as scheduled beginning at 7p. Cake Walks at 6:30p. Bring your lawn chairs and hear great Clay County singers
  • June 7 a Rats! Forgot one:   Happy Birthday to Elva Vaughan on June 5th. We Love You, Tina, David & Matthew.
  • June 7 a From the email bag: I want to wish my daughter Leslie Blanton a very happy birthday on June 7.  Love, Mom and Ronnie
  • June 7 a From the email bag:  We are looking for our dog his name is Jack he is a Dachshund.he is brown and he is old he might be with a big black girl dog with long hair her name is bear they he is they are from the lizemores area we have had him for a long time and we all miss him alot if you find them please call 632-2163 if no one answers leave a message
  • June 7 a Many in  the county remain powerless due to Wednesday's storm. Ovapa and Triplett Ridge remain without electric. Most telephone service has been restored. The coffeehouse crowd provided stories of war like conditions in the Widen and Harrison neighborhoods where the storm was particularly unkind.
  • June 7 a  How bad is it? Friday afternoon Gov King Joe added Clay County to the list of  disaster areas in the state.
  • June 7 a The last day of school was yesterday. Kids and teachers are free for two and one half months to do as they darn well care. Happiness covers the county.
  • June 6 a  Belated email: I just wanted to wish my brother Joe Craddock a very Happy Birthday on June 2.If you see him wish him a happy birthday. Love bunches your sister Mary Forrer
  • June 6 a The Communciator is coming out Monday. Deadline for submissions is today at 5pm. Email ASAP
  • June 6 a While many in the county continue to be without power and or water, politicos are staging a big dedication ceremony for the Dundon Ski Slope which has been open for over a week. Complete details on the ADVISORY. Free food for any one that shows up.
  • June 6 a  People lost their homes at the highest rate on record in the first three months of the year, and late payments soared to a new high, too -- an alarming sign that the housing crisis and its damage to the national economy may only get worse.
  • June 6 a In their cars, int he stores, in the jon, walking down the street, they have their head tied to a cell phone. Here's a study on tracking cell users without them knowing it. Worse yet, they don't care. Next thing you know, the govt will be tracking us in our cars...  Oh, they already do that with those GPS  units.
  • June 6 a For those in the northern end of the county and doing without water, help is on the way and it ain't from King Joe. Clay PSD rented a generator Wed to power the pumps which fill the storage tank for Ivydale and Big Otter areas. The pumps are now pushing about 4 feet of water in the storage tank each hour. Look for water to be restored soon . That's unless some dumb bunny decides to fill his swimming pool.
  • June 6 a Clay Schools were in session yesterday but without many students. Kids at HE White and Valley Dale Elem's were told by bus drivers to stay home. Valley Dale was without ANY water while HE White was without power and water. Some in the county are real upset that holding school when many kids can't attend... well you see their point.
  • June 6 a How about something to make your day.
  • June 6 a Town Council met on Tuesday. During the meeting they made public the poor financial state of the municipal log factory. Trith is, it's been int he red since it went on line over 10 years ago and now they're hiring a second operator!
  • June 6 a Town Recorder Llyn Drake said she only knew of two ways to get the poop factory in the black. Either raise rates or implement a town B&O tax. Council person Joyce Gibson added they could implement a $1 per head per week employee tax for those that work in the municipality. Look for a decision on the ideas soon. Bet they won't win any popularity contests in the near future!
  • June 6 a During Thursday's BDA meeting, the Board seemed to be in agreement: they wanted to get rid of the old Filcon Industrial site; a local buyer is willing to pay $150,000 for the place near Ovapa; he wants to set up a carp raising farm there; and, the place, may actually employee a couple people if it comes to be.
  • June 6 a Carp Farm........ Hmmmm........ Maybe we have another answer to the financial woes at the Town\s log factory. Instead of building  big tanks to hold the poop eaters at Filcon, how about just raise the bottom feeders in the log factory! Might work and cheaper too.
  • June 6 a This is the weekend for yard sales, swimming at the pool, and Karaoke music at the season opener, WYAP Summer Jam 08 Saturday night. Can you sing? Be there at 7pm with your music CD. You might win a cash prize.
  • June 6 a  Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night
  • June 6 a People who want to share their religious views with you almost never want you to share yours with them.
  • June 6 a Never lick a steak knife
  • June 6 a Men are like a fine wine. They start out as grapes, and it's up to women to stomp the crap out of them until they turn into something acceptable to have dinner with
  • June 5 p  Carl Steven “Mo” Truman, 58, of Duck, see OBITUARY page
  • June 5 p  Maynard Paul Graham, 64, of Glen , see OBITUARY page
  • June 5 p  Little ole Clayberry isn't immune from big city bad stuff.
  • June 5 p According to reports, an older, overweight male dressed as a utility worker gained access to an elderly lady's home at Procious just after linch today.
  • June 5 p The scoundrel made off with the lady's jewelry and a safe after locking her into the bathroom.
  • June 5 p Law enforcement was heard on the scanner on the look out for a dark colored car. As of 3pm, no word on catching the skum bag.
  • June 5 p With temps in the  90's and under scorching sunshine, repair crews continue to restore  electric and water service.  Around 1pm electric service in the Twistabout area was restored.
  • June 5 a Boil Water Order issued by Clay County PSD for the Ivydale area of the county. Be safe, boil it first!!!
  • June 5 a  Clay County PSD is setting up a water station at the Big Otter Community Center for those needing bottled water. The water will be available around 1pm today. If you need it, get it.
  • June 5 a Laurel Nursing Home is without water. The problem is no wet stuff in the storage tanks due to power outages. Clay PSD is now setting up portable generators to fire up the booster pumps. Even when the generators are up and running, word has it, no wa wa until late Thursday night.
  • June 5 a Sunshine returned to the weather ravaged county this morning. Repair crews are hard it restoring utilities to most of the county. Many areas remain without power or water service. For Clay Roane and Clay County PSDs, both need electric, three phase electric, to run their pump stations. Gloom and doom: it's going to be while before Clay returns to normal.
  • June 4 p Sadly we report the passing of Steve "Mo" Truman around noon today. From a You Tube posting: Somewhere a little past noon our friend ended his fight to stay here with us and passed on.. Thank you all for every prayer , comment and nice thought that was sent up on his behalf. Mo loved people and was loved by many. He lived life just the way he felt it should be lived.. His brain was bleeding and his fever was up to 105 last night. He eventually became unresponsive. I will post a little message from Mo's cousin Cindy and thank her for keep[ing] all of us informed while we all worried about our friend. Thank you everyone   Hook.     Heaven sure is rejoicing today. Mo passed on, we've lost him.  I know that he sure was loved by a lot of people. I will write once more  when I know more information. I can't think of what to say right now. I've lost my words. Thanks for all your prayers. He didn't have any pain.  Love to all of you, our family, and Mo's friends that are now our friends. I feel like you are part of our family.    Cindy
  • June 4 p  Sorry for slow updates. Around 2 am this morning a minor storm came thru the county wiping out power for most.
  • June 4 p  With the power off, kids made it to school just long enough for school to be closed down sending them back home around 9 am . It was a ghost town with most places closed up, no power, not even Go Mart where the parking lot was empty.
  • June 4 p Scanner traffic and comments from this afternoon....
  • June 4  2:30 p Big time thunder and wind came ripping thru. The sky turned black. Over FM radio came National Weather Service reports every 15 minutes or so reporting the advance from t he West of 70 mph winds. Around town, with each report, locals got more jittery.
  • June 4  Between 4 and 4:30p  the major storm hit the middle of the county bringing monster wind and heavy hail. Trees cracked and fell bringing with em power and tele lines.  4:20p  Green Shirt Bailey reported a major puddle of water blocking the South bound lane coming into downtown Clay. Bailey:  The South Bound lane near the bridge is flooding, it does it every time a cow takes a leak!
  • June 4 By 4:30p reports of power lines sparking and transformers on fire all around the county. State Road crews trying to leave their rural hill top headquarters couldn't, fallen trees cut them off from duty. 4:40p  Thunder rumbled thru again. The rain came down quicker.
  • June 4 late afternoon: Gov King Joe Manchin declared several Northern counties disaster areas.
  • June 4 4:55p Over the scanner: trees above Spread park look like a tornado came thru... it's pretty bad... Rt 4 to Ivydale is a disaster area... Lines on fire near the HArtland bridge
  • June 4 5p  Heavier rain and more thunder hampered repair efforts. The Elk RIver turned to mud
  • June 4 A little after 6 p Go MArt at Clay was the place to be. Many waited there for roads to be reopened. Others waited on tasty chicken to take back home.
  • June 4  Scanner: The left Fork of Sandy is passable again. It's looks like a hurricane touched down
  • June 4 Did we have a tornado touch down. For sure according to one eyewitness on Maple Road near Wallback. With trees uprooted and thrown about, one ended up  on top of his roof causing heavy damage. (Pictures coming)
  • June 4 7:30p Over the scanner: Rt 4 to Ivydale and 16 to Big Otter is open again.
  • June 4 7:40 p An ambulance trying to get back to downtown reported the road near Wallback was completely blocked by high water.
  • June 4  8:10 p   Is it over? Not according to the National Weather Service
  • June 4 NOTE: We're holding up The Communicator until MONDAY to include coverage of the Dundon Bridge Dedication Ceremonay Friday morning.
  • June 4 Deadline for this edition will be Friday at 5pm. Email over your notices, classifieds, chatters, and such ASAP
  • June 4 Happy Birthday wishes extended to the ace cub reporter and Communicator Editor in Chief Terri Kerns both celebrating the passing of time, ever so graciously, on June 5th
  • June 4 4 Depending on electricity, DSL, and the weather, more postings as we can.
  • June 3 a  BC&G RR's Buffalo Gals are in the middle of a raffle where winners can win $100.00 worth of cakes from Deb's Creative Cakes. Interested in tickets? Call Ramona Samples 548-6579 or Irene Cantrell 548-7530. Drawing will be July 11th.
  • June 3 a Clay Town Council meets this evening at the Water Plant on Main Street. Looks like they're going to hire another Water Operator in training. Last week the Mayor put on the payroll a much needed sewer operator in training.
  • June 3 a CAEZ meets at 4:00 and again at 6pm with the full Board. Both meetings are open to the public.
  • June 3 a Want input in what classes will be offered this fall at the new technical college at Valley Fork? Survey forms are being filled out now. Call the CAEZ for yours.
  • June 3 a from the email bag:  Happy Belated Birthday to my grandson, Noah Riley Tanner, from Keyota Braley, for June 2, 2008. Noah was 5 years old. He is the son of Miles Alan Paintiff and Brandy Tanner
  • June 3 a From the email bag: I wish I had the time to speak with the governor's office / governor to see if there's any good reason it couldn't be called the Missouri Hamrick Memorial Bridge (or something like that) as a tribute to the lady and her poems that were written gaining the attention of the gov. officials in Charleston. causing the first bridge to be built way back in CC history.
  • June 3 a That bridge can be properly named. Time to call up our Legislative reps. You can be the first to make the call and get the ball rolling.
  • June 3  a The radio station's outdoor music show Summer Jam 08 opens this Saturday night at 7pm. It's Karaoke night at the Jam. Bring your music CD, arrive a little early to sign up, and be heard on the radio on 101.7Fm and around the world on the internet. Cash prize too!
  • June 2 p From the email bag:  I just wanted to wish my brother Joe Craddock a very Happy Birthday on June 2.If you see him wish him a happy birthday.Love bunches your sister,     Mary Forrer
  • June 2 p  When was the last time you were invited to something? Check out the ADVISORY page for your invite to the new Dundon Ski Slope Dedication Ceremony.
  • June 2 p  The School Board meets tonight at Standard Bryant Annex on Gump Street. Several new hires and transfers plus the resignation of Frank Klemans as Wrestling Coach as well as Mike Kearns from coaching duties for the CCHS Golf team.
  • June 2 p For years the Business Development Authority has wrestled with the old Filcon site near Ovapa. Other than mowing the grass last Sept., little... nothing, has been accomplished. Years ago this site raised some hackles when we suggested the swamp land be turned into a worm farm.
  • June 2 p We're hearing a rumor now that the BDA MAY sell/give the 7 acres of now out of the wet to the state folks for them to financially back a fish farm on the site.
  • June 2 p Fish farm?  Yelp. The BDA explored setting up such a facility out Widen way where 1000's of gallons of fresh water flows daily. That never happened and the water still runs.
  • June 2 p According to the coffee house crowd, this new endeavor would filter and reuse storage tank wa wa eliminating the need for high dollar PSD water.
  • June 2 p Sounds too good to be true but maybe this time something good will happen to the old Filcon site now called the Valley Fork Industrial Park.
  • June 2 p  How much bottled water do you buy each day? How about this as the next idea for the Widen Mine water supply.... Bottle the stuff and call it just that, Widen Mine Water. Keeping in mind the wet stuff is absolutely pure and ready to drink untreated, bet it would sell big time and be fairly low cost to set up.
  • June 2 p Town Council and CAEZ meet Tuesday afternoon. Both are air conditioned public meetings. Why not attend?
  • June 1 a The first week of Summer brought little in the way of excitement in the land of little. Here's our recap from the last seven days or so.
  • June 1 a It's quiet in County Clay. Few break ins around the county and none in the municipality. We're down to about two town drunks and they ain't even falling down... much.
  • June 1 a Gardens grew. Flowers bloomed. The Elk River ran emerald green. Graduated seniors hung out at Go Mart with nothing to do. Youngsters rode bikes and ran around bare footed in cut off jeans.
  • June 1 a The new Dundon bridge was to have opened Wed with the Governor on hand to cut the ribbon.  didn't happen. King Joe was a no show. With  the modern marvel still closed to traffic, the old Dundon bridge remained in use. That's until a piece of decking broke lose forcing repairmen on overtime wages to make emergency repairs.
  • June 1 a After months, years, of waiting,  without ceremony, the new Dundon bridge was opened late in the day on May 29th.
  • June 1 a On Friday  County Commission convened to recount ballots from the May 13th Primary election. Every democrat vote in the 33rd House of Delegates race was hand counted.  You could see the fire between Dave Walker and Blankenship as each spoke and jockeyed for position. Blankenship wanted the votes counted on the same optical scanning machine used on election night while Walker insisted on a hand recount.
  • June 1 a In the end after hours of counting and hearing "tally", Walker grew his Clay County lead  by a couple votes.
  • June 1 a We understand over in Gilmer COunty where they too were recounting the ballots, Blankenship came up around 10 votes or so.
  • June 1 a  As it stands right now, Dave Walker will be the Demorat with his name on the Nov General election. UNLESS, candidate Ron Blankenship takes the uncounted ballots issue to Circuit Court. If the Calhoun County choice could get Precinct 37 tossed out, he would be the Demo nominee in Nov.
  • June 1 a  Consensus from the coffeehouse crowd, much like Hillary's campaign, it's over, has been over for some time,  for Blankenship.
  • June 1 a Making Summer official, the Clay County Swimming Pool readied and open for business Saturday May 30th. Complete with some new patio furniture, a great place to send those nasty ankle biters to get em out of your hair.
  • June 1 a  A man and his wife were awakened at 3:00 am by a loud pounding on the door. The man gets up and goes to the door where a drunken stranger, standing in the pouring rain, is asking for a push. "Not a chance," says the husband, "it is 3:00 in the morning!" He slams the door and returns to bed. "Who was that?" asked his wife. "Just some drunk guy asking for a push," he answers.  "Did you help him?" she asks.  "No, I did not, it is 3:00 in the morning and it  is pouring rain out there!"  "Well, you have a short memory," says his wife.  "Can't you remember about three months ago when we broke down, and those two guys helped us?  I think you should help him, and you should be ashamed of yourself!" The man does as he is told, gets dressed , and goes out into the pounding rain. He calls out into the dark, "Hello, are you still there?" "Yes," comes back the answer. "Do you still need a push?" calls out the husband. "Yes, please!" comes the reply from the dark. "Where are you?" asks the husband. "Over here on the swing," replied the drunk.

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